David's Rise to Power and the Death of Abner. An Analysis of 1 Sam, XXVI 14-16 and its Redaction-critical Implications

According to the American transcendentalist philosopher, H. D. Thoreau, "Some circumstantial evidence is very strong, as when you find a trout in the milk."' In an article inJSOT in November of 1978, my colleague N. P. Lemche attempted to apply the cui bono maxim of Roman law to the History of David's Rise to Power (HDR).2 Lemche was able by a process of consistent scepticism to raise considerable doubts concerning David's innocence in connexion with, among other things, the deaths of Saul and his general